21 December 2010 05:15

Florent Malouda has blamed Chelsea's shaky defence for the club's downturn in form.

Despite injuries to John Terry and Alex, the France winger has told the Blues' back four to pull their socks up as Chelsea bid for consecutive Barclays Premier League titles.

'We have one of the most prolific attacks in the league, but I thinkthe reason we have dropped is because we're not defending so well,' theFrance winger said.

'When you look at the records, we kept a lot of clean sheets atthe beginning of the season and now we're conceding goals.'

Despite the stinging criticism - and having not kept a clean sheet for five games - Chelsea possess the best defence in the League having conceded just 12 goals in 17 games.

But goals are at a premium too, with Chelsea netting just four times in their last seven outings.

With talismanic striker Didier Drogba still recovering from malaria, boss Carlo Ancelotti is aware that the club need to start scoring - fast.

The Italian claims that the return to form of the Ivory Coast striker is crucial, beginning with the heavyweight clash at Arsenal on Monday.

'We need Drogba to come back to the performances he had last year and the goal against Tottenham was very good for his attitude,' Ancelotti said.

'He has not been in a good condition. He had difficulty to play with malaria and he found it difficult to train.

'I put him in the last few games even though he was not 100 per cent because we need to have his character and his personality. Now his condition is better.'

And Ancelotti is confident that Drogba will continue his hoodoo against the Gunners, with 32-year-old hitting 13 goals in 13 games against the Gunners.

Defiant: Chelsea captain Terry insists there is no divide at the Premier League champions

'He had a good reaction after coming on as a substitute in the last game, this is the important thing. Following the goal against Tottenham he will show us a different Drogba in the next game against Arsenal.'

That crunch game will call for a united front in the Chelsea camp - something captain Terry is insistent upon, despite reports of factions within Stamford Bridge.

'I have seen a couple of things about the players questioning each other and not being committed enough. That's absolute rubbish and so frustrating to read.

'The players are so passionate about turning this corner and going on a good run. We believe that playing like we did against Tottenham, we can win the title again.

'As long as we stay solid on the pitch and the fans stay with us then I'm sure that playing like this, we're going to be back.'